Trans salutatorian stands up to anti-trans school administration in inspiring speech: "Be yourself" - LGBTQ Nation

A transmasculine student, Jonas Hole, was misgendered and deadnamed by school administrators during D’Iberville High School’s May 23 graduation ceremony. The principal introduced him using his deadname and referred to him as “an outstanding young lady.” The school previously posted a May 17 congratulatory message that also used his deadname and allegedly altered his Junior ROTC photo to appear more feminine by removing his mustache. Community members and LGBTQ+ advocates criticized the actions. Hole delivered a poised and dignified commencement speech, introducing himself with his deadname before noting that many knew him as Jonas. He focused on challenges faced in high school and how others judged him without understanding him.

"D'Iberville High principal Cheryl Broadus introduced Hole by his deadname during the May 23 ceremony, and even referred to him as "an outstanding young lady." Despite that, graduate Jonas Hole, who is transmasculine, delivered a poised, dignified, and inspiring speech to his classmates. Local drag performer and LGBTQ+ advocate Tara Shay Montgomery said Hole showed why he was salutatorian in the way he spoke, which was posted on social media."

"The school made headlines last week for referring to Hole by his deadname in a May 17 Facebook post congratulating him on his achievement. The post - which remains live and unedited - also includes a photo of Hole wearing his U.S. Army Junior ROTC uniform that the school allegedly digitally altered to remove his mustache and make him appear more feminine. While the post sparked outrage among D'Iberville, Mississippi's LGBTQ+ community and its allies, neither the school district nor Hole has publicly commented on the controversy."

"Hole began his speech Saturday by introducing himself using his deadname, but noted that "a lot of you know me as Jonas," according to Mississippi Today. While he did not address the controversy around the school's Facebook post or his gender identity directly, he spoke about the challenges he'd overcome in high school. "Despite my own self-acceptance, others judged me without understanding me. I became my label, and it felt as if my achieve""

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